Know someone you can’t talk politics with? Try these four tools to navigate tough conversations this election season.
Election season can bring tough conversations closer to home. These tools can help you navigate disagreement, communicate when tensions are high, and find opportunities for common ground.
1. Get curious
Ask questions before making assumptions. Instead of jumping to prove a point, try asking:
- What made you arrive at that conclusion?
- How have your world experiences shaped your view?
- What matters to you most about this issue?
You don’t have to agree with someone to understand their perspective. It’s okay to agree to disagree. That’s the beauty of common ground.
2. Listen to understand
We’re obsessed with listening closely to others. Listening is one of the most integral parts of peacebuilding.
You don’t have to agree to listen:
- Let the person across from you finish their thought.
- Reflect back what you heard.
- Ask if you understood them correctly.
Feeling heard can make space for a productive conversation that honors both individuals in a discussion.
3. Find the value underneath
Different opinions can come from shared concerns.
You might disagree on how to solve a problem while caring about the same things: safety, opportunity, dignity, or a better future for your community.
Try asking: “What do you hpe will be different if the issue improves?”
4. Know when to pause
Not every conversation needs to be finished today. When tensions rise:
- Take a breath before responding.
- Name what you need to continue the conversation constructively
- Suggest a break and return when you’re ready.
Taking a pause isn’t giving up. It can help keep disagreement from becoming harmful.
A stronger community starts with how we show up. Together, we can strengthen our communities during election season.
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